Gun violence got a little personal for me today. Someone killed his father and brother and then proceeded to shoot and kill more people until he arrived at Santa Monica Community College and shot some students. He was killed in the college library. I went to Santa Monica Community College for two years (1989-1991). Here’s a true story. When I got news that the Persian Gulf War had started, I was watching Telly Savalas (Kojak) watch a tennis match on the college campus.
Not long after I heard about the situation in Santa Monica, an old friend sent me the gun violence tally for Philadelphia and announced that he was fleeing the city. I kind of knew he wanted to leave, and it’s partly to pursue new career opportunities. But it is sad that he doesn’t feel like it’s safe to stay anymore.
This week in Philadlephia, you could spot city leaders and most of the news media staff, vehicles and other resources at 22nd and Market Streets, at the scene of a building collapse that killed six people and injured 13 Wednesday.
We wish to express our sympathies to the victims and their families and commend our colleagues on outstanding reporting. A great deal of attention has been turned toward the cause of the catastrophe, who should be held responsible, and what the city can do to prevent it from happening again.
But at the same time, very little attention has been paid to the 30 shooting victims reported across Philadlephia so far this week.
By the way, pretty much every time I go into Philadelphia, I pass by the intersection where that building collapsed. I use 22nd street to cut across the city.
News events are getting a little close to home.
